The Great Southern's Gross Regional Product was estimated
at $2.2 billion (indicative only) in 2004/05, representing a
7.4 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
The Great Southern Region remains the second largest
producer of agricultural commodities in Western Australia,
accounting for almost 13 per cent of the State’s agriculture
output. The main agriculture industries include broadacre
cropping, livestock and wool. Some other major industries
include retail trade, manufacturing, tourism and construction.
These industries have been ranked by their contribution to the
regional economy.
In 2003/04, the total value of agricultural production in the
Great Southern was $810.9 million. Crops accounted for
$488 million, livestock disposals accounted for $180 million,
and wool and other animal product accounted for $143 million.
Commercial activity in the Region has been increasing. The
Department of Local Government and Regional Development
estimates that retail turnover reached $452.5 million in
2004/05. Employment by industry, which is
released every five years (part of the Australian Bureau of
Statistics Census 2001) indicated that 18.3 per cent of the
Region’s workforce (ABS Usual Residence) were employed in
retail and wholesale trades and another 16.0 per cent were
engaged in education, health and community services.
Manufacturing activity in the Region is based largely on the
supply of equipment and machinery to the agricultural sectors
and for the processing of agricultural commodities. From the
latest manufacturing data (2001/02), total sales and service
income was estimated at $279 million.
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Tourism continues to have strong potential for the future.
Across 2004 and 2005, there were on average
539,800 overnight domestic and international visitors to
the Region. Total tourism expenditure was estimated at over
$200.4 million.
The building and construction industry has grown in recent
years. There were 586 dwelling approvals in 2004/05 and total
approvals were valued at $132 million.
Mining production was valued at $4.0 million in 2004/05 and
was comprised largely of silica sand, valued at $2.5 million
and spongolite valued at $1.4 million.
The value of the fishing industry was estimated at $4.7 million
in 2004/05 and the total catch was 2,570 tonnes. In addition,
considerable effort is being directed toward the development
of aquaculture.
Blue gum plantations in the Region are increasing at a rate of
5,000 hectares a year. There is an estimated 135,000 hectares
planted. There is also a resource of 8,514 hectares of pines,
consisting of 3,714 hectares of Pinus radiata and 4,800 of
Pinus pinaster. The approximate value of the plantations is
$500 million.
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